With the fate of the ENG vs IND Test series to be decided in the final game at Oval, former England speedster Stuart Broad has suggested two key changes for the Three Lions for the decisive clash. Notably, the hosts currently lead the five-match series 2-1.
NOT
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SOM
338/4
WEY
123/1
ESM
120/4
Weybridge beat East Molesey by 9 wickets
BAN
143/10
ESM
145/4
East Molesey beat Banstead by 6 wickets
WEY
129/7
SPE
166/3
Spencer beat Weybridge by 37 runs
SPE
151/3
BAN
146/7
Spencer beat Banstead by 7 wickets
WEY
131/7
BAN
132/4
Banstead beat Weybridge by 6 wickets
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SPE
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TWI
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SPE
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ESM
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WEY
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TWI
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ESM
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TWI
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GUG
197/9
NVR
71/10
Guwahati Giants beat Navarang Club by 126 runs
CCC
179/8
GTC
180/8
Gauhati Town Club beat City Cricket Club by 1 runs
BCC
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91YC
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NAJC
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GUG
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PCR
86/4
BCC
92/2
Bihar CC beat Phoenix Cricketers by 8 wickets
GUJCC
110/8
KZK
144/6
Khan Zalmi Kings beat Gujrat Cricket Club by 34 runs
RTZ
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KGC
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TCC
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JJ
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ZIM
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NZ
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ASS
128/10
BDS
51/10
Amo Sharks beat Boost Defenders by 77 runs
BAD
192/10
MAK
264/2
Mis Ainak Knights beat Band-e-Amir Dragons by 72 runs
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ASS
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SGT
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BDS
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WIU19-W
81/10
USAU19-W
104/7
United States Of America Women U19 beat West Indies Women U19 by 23 runs
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USAU19-W
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BRB-W
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AAC
74/10
PNC
75/0
Pakistan Champions beat Australia Champions by 10 wickets
IAC
148/5
WIC
144/9
India Champions beat West Indies Champions by 5 wickets
Pace sensation Jofra Archer, who made a return to Test cricket after a four-year hiatus due to injury, featured in the last two Tests. However, with his workload being a concern, especially with the Ashes lined up later this year, Broad feels it’s better not to risk Archer. Josh Tongue can come in as a natural replacement.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Broad said, “We can’t not have Jofra Archer for four years, bring him back and then bowl him into the ground and not see him for another four years.”
After the ENG vs IND 4th Test at Manchester, England skipper Ben Stokes had also suggested that fresh legs are needed and the management has now added Jamie Overton to the 15-man squad for the series finale.
Furthermore, Broad also opined that England should bring in Gus Atkinson as a replacement for Brydon Carse. Carse has so far bowled 155 overs, second most after Chris Woakes’ 167 for the hosts. Overall, England have mostly had a set pace attack throughout the series and their frontline bowlers are really low on steam and can use the help of fresh players coming in.
“I think Gus Atkinson has to play. I know he has not had any workload, but we need to see him. He hasn’t been really challenged against top-level opposition in Test cricket yet. (Brydon) Carse looked knackered in the fourth Test. He has been a trier and given absolutely everything, but looks like his legs have left him for this series, so Atkinson gets the nod,” Broad added.
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On the other hand, question remains over talismanic India pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s availability with the series on the line for India. Bumrah was expected to play three of the five matches to manage his workload and had already played the allotted number of games.
India has Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep, who were recovering from respective injuries and both players are expected to play the final game. A call on Bumrah will be taken closer to the match.
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